10 things to do if you don't get an answer after a job interview (2023)

You've finally landed that coveted job interview. Maybe you got it right; maybe you failed. Regardless, you send a thank you note and compulsively check your inbox for a week while not so patiently waiting for a reply. But you don't hear anything.

This happens very often.

According to a 2013career builderStudy of 3,991 employees, 60% said they had experienced this while looking for work.

Why is this so common?

"Unfortunately, it's often sheer rudeness when a candidate doesn't get an answer after an interview," says the HR expert.Steve Kane. “That should never happen with a demanding and progressive employer. Of course, if someone makes the effort to prepare for an interview, they deserve an idea of ​​how likely they are to get an offer."

Employers sometimes feel overwhelmed by the communication process, says Amy Hoover, president ofTalentzoo, a website for marketing, advertising and digital professionals. "It's not fair and it's not professional, but it's a reality."

David Pair, legal advisor, communications coach and author, says that there are generally three main factors in the radio silence that an interviewee experiences after the meeting – assuming we are talking about an experienced employer. "Um, 'he doesn't like you that much,'" she says. “Second, bandwidth is valuable and should be used on more pressing issues, like more competitive candidates. And third, the potential risk of intentionally providing negative feedback far outweighs the potential reward.”

Employers, like most other people, "are selfish and rational," he adds. If they want a candidate, they will pursue him fervently; if they don't, they won't. "And while they're busy with the coveted candidates and telling others they won't pursue them and why it's not just uncomfortable (for all parties), it potentially exposes them to legal action," he says. "As a result, often the word mom is the word."

Lynn Taylor, national workplace expert and author ofTame your terrible office bully; How to deal with bosses' childish behavior and thrive in your joboffers a different explanation. "Unemployment is still relatively high and many companies are flooded with applicants," he says. "The short-term thinking is that there are a lot of candidates, so we can save on labor costs by only responding to each applicant to A-list candidates."

Given the breakneck pace of staffing shortages today, it's not uncommon to get a response from a potential employer a few weeks after you pull out of the fight, she says. "Holidays, hiring freezes, reorganizations, layoffs, and changes in project status can affect if and when you get a response from an employer."

In pictures: 10 things to do if you don't get an answer after a job interview

But the candidates deserve an answer, even if the news is bad. It turns out that the follow-up is mutually beneficial in the long run (even if it's awkward and inconvenient at the time).

The 2013 CareerBuilder survey found that the impact of a negative candidate experience can have broader implications for an employer's business or ability to hire top talent.

42 percent of workers said they would never seek employment with the company again if they were not satisfied with the way their application was processed. Another 22% said they would tell other people not to work there; and 9% would advise others not to buy the company's products or services.

"When the labor market tightens again and employers are eager to fill critical vacancies, they may look at these practices and wish they had been more receptive," says Taylor. “Even a sample confirmation letter is better than no answer. Applicants have long memories and it can be difficult to attract the same high caliber talent later if applicants are not treated well now.”

Kan agrees. He says employers will always be looking for new talent, and when a candidate is given the opportunity to work for an employer that has a reputation for respecting candidates, rather than one that doesn't, candidates are more likely to choose for this employer they run. With respect

"Most employers are very concerned about their reputation," he adds. “Not giving feedback to job seekers reflects your whole management process. Especially in this day and age when social media can play such an important role, being rude to job seekers is practically useless.”

Why do candidates want feedback, even if it's negative?

dr Sanja Licina, PhD and Senior Director of Workforce Analytics at CareerBuilder, says candidates don't want to stay in a state of expectation and wonder if they're still in the running. "They not only want to come full circle, but generally like to hear feedback from employers and see if they could be considered for future opportunities."

Parell agrees. "In my experience, a candidate's urge for definitive feedback is often based on a psychological need for closure."

Also, any feedback after an interview can help a candidate better prepare for the next interview, says Hoover. "Maybe the candidate will even learn more about himself and his strengths as a result."

How long do you wait before doing something?

Determining the appropriate amount of time to wait before asking for feedback begins with the interview itself, says Parnell. “Be sure to be specific about the next steps in the process before you end the meeting. That way you have an idea of ​​when the employer should react and if not, when you should mobilize a more proactive approach.”

Kan agrees. “At the end of an interview cycle, it is perfectly reasonable for a candidate to ask when they can expect an answer from the employer. This creates a perfect opportunity to follow up with the employer if the feedback takes much longer than the given date.” Understand that hiring managers do a lot more than just interview and that response time estimates are often overly optimistic, he adds added.

Here are 10 things to do if you don't get a response within (or shortly after) the interview deadline:

Take the initiative.Don't just twiddle your thumbs and wait. Do something.

"In today's market, it's up to the job seeker to take the bull by the horns and pull it off," says Taylor. “The squeaky (not squeaky) wheel gets the grease. Touch, don't disturb.

She says if the schedule expires, wait a few days and write a "sign up" email to your primary contact showing your continued interest. "Just make sure you're offering the hiring manager something of value in the email, e.g. For example, a link to an industry-related article or a competing company, an interesting blog, a LinkedIn thread, or an upcoming industry event.”

Hoover agrees. "If your first follow-up message fits into the schedule given to you in an interview, it will look professional, quick, and courteous. If you wait too long, you may show obvious disinterest."

make a planParnell says that if you call and email too often, you become irritable and distressed; If you don't follow through enough, you're communicating disrespect and disinterest. "It's important to be stereotypical in your attempts to set a schedule and stick to it. Only allow yourself a certain number of attempts for a limited time. If you get your feedback, great; If not, keep going, period.

be elegant. Always be friendly in your email or phone correspondence, even if you're irritated with the employer, says Taylor. Maybe they're still interviewing and haven't made a decision yet. Or maybe they think you're a better fit for another role within the organization and plan to contact you when you become available. "His professionalism will be remembered," says Taylor. "It's often how you deal with setbacks that sets you apart from the rest."

Check your social network for connections. Check overFacebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for former colleagues or friends who currently work at the company, says Hoover. "If you discover a connection, try to ask the person for their consent, or at least try to find out their hiring status and where they are in the process."

Always evaluate the responses to your outreach efforts before taking the next step.That starts with real-time interview feedback, says Taylor. “If it's a warm welcome, that opens the door for you to get even more involved. When it's cold at best, don't waste too much time insisting on series. often unansweredEsan answer."

The chain up."While I have a lot of respect for HR and in-house recruiters, sometimes they're mixed when it comes to business acumen," says Parnell. “If you find that you don't get an answer from them after a significant number of tries, you're moving up the food chain. In my efforts, I've found that the higher you go, the more respect you have for the interviewee.” (Direct) contact with the person you actually work for can revitalize, or at least end, the process.

Go with your gut and be realistic.“Rejection is psychologically traumatizing; In fact, it's been shown to cause physical pain," says Parnell. "It should come as no surprise that our minds are equipped with powerful mechanisms like rationalizations to override our affects: 'Maybe you didn't get my last 37 emails,' 'I bet you left the country this month and don't have phone service.'” Rationalizations like this can serve to nudge us forward when we should be looking elsewhere. Trust your gut, it usually knows the answer."

Taylor agrees. She says if an employer doesn't respond to some of your follow-ups or doesn't answer your call, don't become a nuisance. “Read 'No' between the lines. Industry circles are small and you have better things to do than earn a reputation for desperation. Do yourself a favor and get on with your professional life by putting all that energy into positive and worthy pursuits."

Keep the employer informed.Because other activities manifest throughout the process, be sure to update the employer on your progress in your follow-up correspondence, says Parnell. "By offering them tangential employer-related information that can simplify the process, remind them you're still looking without sounding selfish."

Do not take it personally."For all you know, the responsibilities, the salary, the deadline, or even the job may have been cut," says Taylor. “Most companies don't want to go public with this type of news and take the safest route, which is to say nothing. You have marketable skills and a job (the right one) is all you need.”

Let this experience speak for the company.The post-interview process doesn't always directly reflect a company's culture, but it can, says Hoover. You should bear this in mind if you are contacted in the future or if you decide to apply for another position in the future. "Keep in mind that if you don't get a response from an employer after following up, it could be further information about whether you really want to work for the company," adds Taylor. "The way they treat you after the interview may be indicative of how they would treat you at work." If you've put all the pieces together and just don't have a good feeling about how to solve them, leave yourself on your gut feeling. "They can take their inaction as a gift or a preview and a signal to move quickly to greener pastures."

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Here are 10 things you should never do:

Never offer a self-imposed deadline without a reason. If you have a valid reason: moving to the area by a specific date, getting a promotion (at your current job) that you can accept in lieu of an offer, an imminent placement on a job, etc. - who flies in the world of interviews However, ask for a response by the end of the week, or no, says Parnell.

never lie Any outright lie, especially one that seems implausible, will ruin your chances with this employer, Kane says.

Never attempt to contact a hiring manager using their private email address, home address, cell phone number, or telephone number.

Never criticize the company on social media. "Rather than forever using your social network, don't be tempted to report a business for lack of response," says Hoover.

Never complain to your employer about your frustration.

Never call or email relentlessly. Leaving three messages unanswered is a social and professional faux pas, Parnell says. "While it is reasonable for an employer to lose or forget a single phone message, it is extremely unlikely that a second message will be missed or forgotten."

Never call on consecutive days. Hoover says this will be tiresome for the interviewer, and instead of showing your continued interest, you can tell him you don't know the limits.

Never try tricks such as B. Leaving a shoe at the front desk because you're trying to "get your foot in the door."

Never stop with more information in hopes of earning enthusiasm points.

Never bribe or flatter. They want to win the job based on merit and confidence, not malicious forms of flattery or flattery, Taylor says.

In pictures: 10 things to do if you don't get an answer after a job interview

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This is an update to a part that previously worked.